The report reviews the treatment of persons detained by the police, the situation of prisoners held in three county prisons (ie Zagreb, Split and Osijek) and the Zagreb Prison Hospital, as well as the treatment of juveniles deprived of their liberty under criminal legislation. The situation of involuntary psychiatric patients is examined in the light of the recently adopted mental health legislation at different psychiatric establishments.

EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) gathered more than 700 experts, artists and human rights NGO representatives as well as representatives of the European and international organisations at the Fundamental Rights Forum, held from 24th until 27th September 2018. The Forum’s goal was to address the challenges present in the time of fractured and polarised societies, in which human rights are being challenged by austerity, digital disruption, globalisation, a migration crisis and rising populism across Europe.

Ahead of the anniversary, Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland said: “The European Convention on Human Rights is a unique safety net protecting more than 830 million people. “Whether applied by national courts or the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, the Convention has changed people’s lives in many different ways across the whole continent. It has played a key role in promoting stability and security in Europe over the last 65 years and, at a time when the continent is facing many serious challenges, its safeguards remain as crucial as ever.”

An efficient system of the whistle blowers protection would be a significant contribution to the fight against corruption, but the draft law shall not provide for it, warned the Ombudswoman Lora Vidović the Ministry of Justice.

Office of the Ombudswoman regularly receives queries from domestic and foreign media about the police treatment of migrants, namely, the allegations on violence and problems with access to the international protection. We can confirm that the Ombudswoman has opened several cases and the investigative procedures are ongoing, based on complaints filed by migrants, NGOs and international organisations, and opened on own initiative. The procedure of establishing the truthfulness of those claims includes communication with complainants, Ministry of Interior as well as unannounced field visits, especially to police stations.